10 African countries facing severe US visa delays as festive travel approaches

As the festive season draws near, thousands of travellers from ten African nations; Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Morocco, Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Egypt, are confronting unprecedented delays in obtaining United States visas.

Reports indicate that appointment backlogs now stretch beyond two years, while stricter documentation requirements and rising fees have left students, business professionals, and families uncertain about their holiday and travel plans, raising concerns over the potential denial of re-entry.

The delays come at a critical time, as many Africans seek to reunite with relatives, attend educational programs, or conduct year-end business trips.

According to Travel and Tour World, US embassies across West, East, and Southern Africa are struggling with post-pandemic backlogs and limited staffing, creating what analysts describe as a systemic bottleneck affecting both routine and high-profile travellers alike.

In Nigeria, delays at the US Consulates in Lagos and Abuja have reached unprecedented levels. Reports in September 2025 indicated that the US Embassy had quietly begun revoking visas without prior notice, affecting professionals, frequent travellers, and even high-profile figures such as Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.

The revocation of Soyinka’s visa sparked widespread concern, highlighting the unpredictability of the current US visa policies.

While Washington has not publicly linked these cancellations to any new policy, observers suggest they reflect heightened entry controls for African nationals.

Similarly, in Ghana, applicants face interview wait times of up to two years. However, in a notable policy adjustment, the United States restored maximum validity periods for nonimmigrant visas in September 2025.

Under the revised terms, the B1/B2 visitor visa now permits five years of multiple entry, while the F1 student visa allows four years of multiple entry. Despite these changes, backlogs continue to pose a significant challenge for applicants.

The State Department clarified that the pause excludes diplomatic and official visas but acknowledged the significant impact. This represents the second time in two years that Zimbabwe has been subject to US visa restrictions.

Beyond these countries, other African nations are also feeling the strain. In Ethiopia, applicants at the Addis Ababa Embassy report delays of up to two years, often accompanied by repeated interview cancellations.

In Morocco, stricter background checks and procedural changes have lengthened processing times, while Zambian applicants face rising costs and limited appointment availability.

Meanwhile, countries such as Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Egypt continue to report prolonged processing times and appointment backlogs, highlighting that these challenges are not isolated but systemic across the continent.

Experts suggest that these delays reflect broader global immigration pressures. The United States continues to grapple with post-pandemic backlogs, increased demand, and limited consular staffing, a combination that has intensified wait times worldwide.

For African applicants, the impact has been particularly severe, affecting not only travel plans but also education, trade, and family reunification.

With the festive season approaching, many travellers are facing heightened uncertainty, as the prospect of denied entry or extended delays threatens holiday travel and family reunions.

Education specialists warn that visa delays could disrupt academic calendars for thousands of students, while business organisations highlight potential setbacks for international trade, investment meetings, and cross-border partnerships.

With no clear timeline for improvement, thousands remain trapped in visa queues, uncertain when or if their applications will be processed. The persistent delays, coupled with sporadic policy changes, have compounded frustration among Africans seeking legitimate travel to the United States.